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10 of the Best Luxury SUVs for the Money

Photo Credit: Volvo

January 31, 2019
By Jack Nerad

SUVs are more popular than ever, and luxury carmakers have embraced them with a vengeance. Seemingly every month a new luxury-brand SUV or crossover is introduced to the marketplace. While terrific sedans and coupes languish on dealers’ lots unsold, luxury crossovers are being purchased in record numbers.

But with consumer choice comes a burden: Which luxury crossovers and conventional SUVs offer the best value? Which ones among the many new entrants available are the best luxury suvs for the money? On that score, we are here to help. Here are the 10 best luxury SUVs for the money.

2019 Acura RDX

The Acura RDX, newly redesigned for the 2019 model year, is not only a useful and versatile crossover suv, but it is also fun to drive. In a recent report we described it as “a tall hotrod,” and the description was apt. It is powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, and it delivers 272 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of peak torque, making this Acura crossover one of the hottest of its peers. Low-end torque with the new powerplant is up 40 percent versus the 3.5-liter normally aspirated V6 that propelled the previous version and that translates into better overall drivability.

The new RDX also offers a segment-first 10-speed transmission, and the available Super Handling All-Wheel Drive isn’t just for bad-weather traction but also improves overall maneuverability. Inside, the RDX has a well-detailed and luxurious cabin, and the infotainment system can be controlled by an ingenious touchpad or voice-recognition software.

2019 Infiniti QX60

Based on the same platform as the well-regarded Nissan Pathfinder, the Infiniti QX60 takes luxury, design, and convenience up several notches while retaining the basic excellence of the chassis and powertrain. For example, the QX60 uses Nissan’s excellent 3.5-liter V6 engine, which delivers 295 horsepower, making the crossover one of the most responsive in its segment. In a departure for a luxury brand, the engine is mated with an electronically controlled continuously variable transmission, but with “D-Step Logic” the transmission can mimic the feel of a conventional transmission.

Inside, access to the third row is surprisingly easy due to the long travel of the sliding second-row seat. It overcomes the typical problem of having to remove a second-row child seat to enable others to get in or out. With an emphasis on affordability, the QX60’s options list includes leather seats, a heated steering wheel, a 15-speaker Bose audio system, and a 110-volt power outlet.

2019 Lexus RX

In terms of sales, the Lexus RX continues to be the 800-pound gorilla of the luxury suv category. Customers love its combination of a sumptuous interior, trouble-free mechanicals, and comforting customer experience. The RX’s cabin features form-fitting seats and well-crafted wood trim. With ample room for five passengers, the RX offers a lowered rear floor in the passenger area, providing a seating position comparable to that in a luxury sedan. Behind the rear seat, the cargo area can accommodate up to four large suitcases or multiple golf bags.

Though the RX is tuned for quiet comfort rather than driving performance, it has more than adequate power. The Lexus RX 350’s V6 engine delivers 295 horsepower and 268 lb-ft of torque. The RX 350 offers the choice between front-wheel drive and Dynamic Torque Control all-wheel drive. Meanwhile, the RX 450h hybrid features 308 combined system horsepower and impressive EPA estimates of 30 mpg combined.

2019 Buick Enclave

The Buick Enclave was completely revamped for 2018 with a redesign that makes it one of the best-looking mid-size crossovers available. With a steeply angled windshield, lower roofline, and longer wheelbase, the three-row, seven-passenger the Enclave is both sleeker and more athletic than the previous version. The Enclave’s upscale Avenir trim adds more bling with a three-dimensional mesh grille accented with chrome, 20-inch pearl nickel-finished wheels, and five special exterior colors.

One of the most spacious crossovers in its class, the Enclave is powered by a 3.6-liter V6 that delivers 310 horsepower backed with a new nine-speed automatic transmission. In base trim, it is a front-drive vehicle, but all-wheel-drive is available. Available electronic driving aids include a lane-change alert with side blind-zone alert, lane-keeping assist with a lane-departure warning, a safety-seat alert, a rear cross-traffic alert, park assist, a forward-collision alert, and low-speed forward automatic braking. Adaptive cruise control with stop/go and front auto braking is also available on the Avenir trim.

2019 Porsche Macan

On-road performance isn’t the first thing on many luxury suv-buyers' must-have list. But when you think about it, you will be driving your crossover on the road 99 percent of the time, so why not enjoy it? The Porsche Macan brings precise handling and sporty acceleration to the crossover party. That is exemplified by its sophisticated suspension, its willing turbocharged engine and its available performance upgrades, like the carbon-ceramic brakes.

The Macan's 2.0-liter engine delivers 252 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque, and that just gets the party started. Those who want to go the full-performance route can order adaptive suspension, 20-inch alloy wheels, and a two-screen rear-seat entertainment system. Without going to the top of the line, a collision mitigation system, power-operated liftgate, parking camera system, and front and rear parking sensors still come along for the ride. The base audio system includes a 7-inch touchscreen and 10 speakers, so you can be at full song in more ways than one.

2019 Lincoln Navigator

The Lincoln Navigator is a conventional SUV in a sea of crossovers, but that is one big reason it offers exceptional value. It delivers substantial size, interior space, and comfort with truly modern engineering.A body-on-frame vehicle, the Navigator shares uses aluminum bodywork to save it an estimated 200 pounds compared with all-steel construction. The single powertrain is a 3.5-liter turbocharged V6 with 10-speed automatic transmission. The engine delivers a remarkable 450 horsepower and plenty of satisfying torque.

The bold exterior design is accompanied by a lavish interior filled with useful features. The driver and front-seat passenger seats offer massage, heating, and cooling, and can be adjusted in 30 different ways. Convenience features include second-row tip-and-slide seating, wireless charging, rear-seat entertainment, and a hands-free foot-activated liftgate. The infotainment system is Ford’s easy-to-use SYNC 3 accessed via a 10-inch LCD capacitive touchscreen. It offers Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, and the available Wi-Fi hotspot supports as many as 10 devices.

2019 Mercedes-Benz GLC

The Mercedes-Benz GLC has rocketed to the sales lead in the compact luxury crossover segment for a number of reasons. It is good-looking, it handles well, it offers a useful amount of interior space… and it features the three-pointed Mercedes-Benz star. Prestige meets practicality, in other words.

With its handsome styling, the GLC is great-looking for every angle. But there is more to the crossover than just good looks. With its standard adaptive shock absorbers and turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, the GLC offers a very pleasant combination of acceleration, handling, and comfort. The engine produces 241 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque, and shifts are almost imperceptible. The inventive and well-configured instrument panel is at the top of the segment, and the 14-speaker Burmester audio system delivers concert-hall-worthy sound quality.

2019 Alfa Romeo Stelvio

If you value exclusivity and sports-car-oriented performance, then the Alfa Romeo Stelvio could be the crossover for you. There is an air of exclusivity around the Stelvio. Its distinctly Italian interior delivers a masculine ambiance accompanied by amenities like a 7-inch instrument display, a 6.5-inch infotainment screen, and compatibility with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

With standard all-wheel drive and a 280-horsepower 2.0-liter turbocharged engine, the Stelvio will make you forget you’re in a vehicle type whose middle-name is “utility.” The chassis and suspension tuning work in harmony with the engine’s power and substantial torque channeled through its eight-speed automatic transmission. In all, the Alfa Romeo Stelvio embodies an irresistible combination of versatility and performance that makes it a real value amidst the lookalikes.

2019 Volvo XC60

The Volvo XC60 combines the traditional Volvo virtues of Scandinavian design, innovative engineering, and uncompromising safety in a compact crossover SUV. Because the XC60 shares a platform with the larger, more luxurious XC90 SUV, it gets the benefit of many of that model’s systems.

The expected emphasis on safety is front and center with automatic emergency braking and lane-keeping as standard equipment. A semi-autonomous driving mode is also available, though Volvo is quick to say it does not provide fully autonomous driving. As with the XC90, several powertrains are available, including a plug-in hybrid. The base engine is a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine offering 250 horsepower. The XC60’s interior offers minimalist sophistication, and it is highlighted by a mammoth center-mounted infotainment touchscreen.

2019 Lincoln MKC

The Lincoln MKC crossover is among the biggest bargains in luxury SUVs. It offers attractive styling and an abundance of equipment, and its tidy size contributes to a feeling of agility. Its design specifications favor luxury and quiet versus sports-sedan-like performance, but we bet that is a decision many luxury SUV buyers will appreciate.

The infotainment system is a knockout with 8-inch touchscreen and nine speakers. The options list includes a panoramic sunroof, a collision-mitigation system, and an automatic parking system that takes the worry out of parallel parking spots. The turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine offers 240 horsepower and 270 peak pound-feet of torque for responsive acceleration. Standard features include 18-inch alloy wheels, automatic headlamps, power-operated rear liftgate, and rear parking sensors accompanied by a rearview camera.